Opposition leader Raila Odinga claims that live bullets hit his vehicle during Friday’s anti- Kenya Kwanza government demonstrations in Nairobi.
Addressing journalists at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) where he retreated after being dispersed from the Nairobi CBD by police, that the action was an attempt on his life.
According to pictures circulated by Odinga’s team, a bullet hole on the side of Odinga’s official vehicle is seen while another image showed part of his part of his vehicle’s rear window vandalized.
“We were actually aiming to get to the KICC, and they blocked us, and they were shooting in our direction,” Odinga said.
The police's move was deemed "unfortunate" by Odinga, who promised that it would not weaken his commitment.
In a previous call for a mass march to Nairobi's Central Park on Friday, Odinga rekindled his opposition to President William Ruto's administration.
Odinga was able to enter the City Centre, but the anti-riot police intercepted him and his entourage with great force and used tear gas and water cannons to prevent them from entering Central Park.
Despite the Supreme Court rejecting his appeal in September 2022, Odinga has refused to recognise Ruto's presidency and has urged his supporters to "directly exercise power" by referring to Ruto's election as "illegal".
“We are saying today that the time for discussions is over. Our constitution in Chapter One, says power is in the hands of the people. And they can exercise that power anytime,” he said.
